IM

chapter 6

American and Texas Government

  • Instructor: Dr. Shannon Bow O'Brien

  • Institution: The University of Texas at Austin

  • Department: Government, College of Liberal Arts

  • Series: LAITS (Liberal Arts Development Studio)

Section 6: Bureaucracy

Federal Bureaucracy: The Executive Branch

  • Definition of Bureaucracy:

    • A complex structure of offices, tasks, and rules.

    • Employees have specific responsibilities and work within a hierarchical authority.

    • Often referred to as the 4th branch of government.

  • Definition of Bureaucrat:

    • A career government employee.

Civil Service System

  • Description:

    • A merit-based system for hiring and promoting civil servants.

  • Components of Civil Service:

    • Civil servants: Employees who work for government agencies based on merit rather than political connections.

    • General Schedule Rating:

    • Classification system for federal employment (G1-G18).

    • Senior Executive Service (SES):

    • A position classification in the civil service of the federal government that is just below the top presidential appointees.

  • Hatch Act:

    • A United States federal law prohibiting government employees from engaging in political activities while on duty.

  • Political Appointees:

    • These are individuals appointed to public positions, some of whom can be political but do not require Congressional approval.

  • Patronage:

    • The practice of giving government jobs to friends and supporters, historically prevalent in the U.S.

Early Bureaucracy

Overview

  • Historical Context:

    • Prior to changes, the United States operated under the patronage system for roughly the first 100 years of government.

  • Timeframe: 1789-1829

    • Characterized by federal service predominantly held by white, upper-class elites.

  • Key Features:

    • Patronage System

    • Spoils System:

    • Political practice where winning candidates reward supporters with government positions.

    • Significance of Andrew Jackson:

    • Associated with the implementation of the spoils system.

Transformational Change

  • Key Event:

    • Assassination of President James A. Garfield (the 20th president, not the famous cat character).

  • Circumstances:

    • Garfield sought to reform the bureaucracy.

    • He was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, an office seeker frustrated by his inability to secure a position.

  • Public Reaction:

    • The backlash against his assassination led to legislative reform.

  • Major Legislative Outcome:

    • Passage of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, commonly known as the Pendleton Act.

Development of Bureaucracy

Influencing Factors

  • Late 19th to Early 20th Century:

    • Influence of Progressives leading to significant regulatory reforms.

  • Key Legislation:

    • Sherman Antitrust Act:

    • Law aimed at breaking up monopolies and promoting competition.

    • Federal Reserve Act:

    • Created the U.S. central banking system to manage the economy.

    • Pure Food and Drug Act (1906):

    • Prevented the sale of adulterated or misbranded food and drugs.

    • Meat Inspection Act (1914):

    • Established standards for the quality of meat products.

    • New Deal:

    • A series of programs and projects instituted during the Great Depression by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at restoring dignity and prosperity to Americans.

    • Great Society:

    • A set of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson aiming to eliminate poverty and racial injustice.

    • Regulatory State:

    • The development of government agencies to regulate economic and social activities.

What do bureaucrats do?

Responsibilities and Functions

  • Primary Roles:

    • Regulations:

    • The establishment of rules governing bureaucratic processes, developed through formal Notice and Comment procedures.

    • Procurement:

    • The process of acquiring goods and services necessary for agency operations.

    • Providing Services:

    • Delivering various services to the public directly or indirectly.

    • Street Level Bureaucrat:

    • Refers to public service workers who interact directly with citizens, facilitating service delivery (e.g., police officers, social workers).

    • Research and Development:

    • Engaging in studies and innovation within various administrative functions.

    • Managing and Directing:

    • Overseeing agency operations and implementing policy.

  • Specialization:

    • Bureaucrats are often experts in specific domains relevant to their functions.

Red Tape

Definition and Implications

  • Red Tape:

    • A term used to denote excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that can impede action or decision-making.

  • Standard Operating Procedure:

    • Established procedures for routine operations within bureaucracies, designed to maintain consistency and efficiency in implementing policy.

Organizing the Bureaucracy

Structure and Entities

  • Presidential Role:

    • The President oversees the administration and structure of the federal bureaucracy.

  • Hierarchy Components:

    • Departments: The major administrative units in the executive branch, each responsible for a broad area of government.

    • Bureaus and Agencies: Sub-units of departments that handle specialized functions.

    • Independent Executive Agencies:

    • Entities operated independently from the executive departments, headed by a single administrator.

    • Government Corporations:

    • Businesses established by Congress to provide a market-oriented public service.

    • Quasi-Governmental Agency:

    • Organizations that have both governmental and private sector characteristics.

    • Independent Regulatory Commissions:

    • Agencies created by Congress to regulate specific economic activities or interests.

    • Foundations:

    • Non-profit organizations that are typically federally funded.

Controlling the Bureaucracy

Oversight Mechanisms

  • Congressional Control:

    • Mechanisms include oversight hearings, ability to influence budget (power of the purse), mandatory reporting requirements, and audits by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and inspectors general.

    • Types of Oversight:

    • Police Patrol Oversight:

      • Regular monitoring of bureaucratic activities by Congress.

    • Fire Alarm Oversight:

      • Occurs in response to specific issues or events, often called upon by citizens or interest groups.

  • Presidential Control:

    • Powers include the development of SES appointments, authority for reorganization (with congressional approval), appointment of key bureaucratic positions, and budgetary influence.

  • Judicial Control:

    • Involves lawsuits and judicial review regarding bureaucratic actions and regulations.